Since 1994, ESPN has held their annual award ceremony known as the ESPY’s. Our Hollywood favorites, top athletes, and teams gathered together last Wednesday to celebrate the 2015 ESPY awards hosted by comedian Joel McHale. In case you missed the ESPY’s, here is a recap for you with the award results and twitter reactions.
Best Moment: Lauren Hill
Best Male Athlete: Stephen Curry
Best Female Athlete: Ronda Rousey
Best Championship Performance: LeBron James
Best Breakthrough Athlete: Mo’ne Davis
Best Record-Breaking Performance: Peyton Manning
Best Upset: Mississippi over Alabama
Best Team: United States women’s national soccer team
Beast Coach/Manager: Steve Kerr
Best MLB Player: Mike Trout
Best NHL Player: Jonathan Toews
Best Fighter: Ronda Rousey
Best NFL Player: Aaron Rogers
Best NBA Player: Stephen Curry
Best Comeback Athlete: Rob Gronkowski
Best Driver: Kevin Harvick
Best Jockey: Victor Espinoza
Best Bowler: Jason Belmonte
Best MLS Player: Robbie Keane
Best International Athlete: Leo Messi
Best WNBA Player: Skylar Diggins
Best Male Golfer: Jordan Speith
Best Female Golfer: Lydia Ko
Best Male Tennis Player: Novak Djokovic
Best Female Tennis Player: Serena Williams
Best Male College Athlete: Marcus Mariota
Best Female College Athlete: Missy Franklin
Best Male Athlete with a Disability: Krige Schabort
Best Female Athlete with a Disability: Becca Meyers
Best Male Action Athlete: Ryan Dungey
Best Female Action Athlete: Kelly Clark
Best Play: Odell Beckham Jr.’s catch
Best Game: Super Bowl XLIX (Patriots vs. Seahawks Super Bowl)
Arthur Ashe Award: Caitlyn Jenner
Jimmy V Perseverance Award: Leah and Devon Still
Pat Tillman Award: Danielle Green
2015 Icon Award: Derek Jeter
While everyone was dressed so elegantly and many hearts were touched, the ESPY’s were able to proceed without any Kanye-like interruptions. Some Twitter reactions were as elegant as some of the ball gowns however some reactions to the 2015 ESPY awards, however, weren’t so elegant. Here are some of the positive and negative Twitter reactions that you may have missed.
Joel McHale began with a monologue that covered every possible line for the sake of comedy. He roasted Justin Bieber, Floyd Mayweather, Bill Cosby and the Seattle Seahawks before beginning the awards, but really, how could you not? They make it just too easy! While McHale was able to create an entertaining awards show filling the room with laughter, he was not able to create the ESPY’s internet legacy like last year's host, Drake, was able too.
On another note, LeBron James’ Best Championship Performance win outraged many. Why? I’m not sure. After all he almost single-handedly brought Cleveland a title by averaging 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game. LeBron James’ statistics led both teams. He is the first NBA player to lead in all categories in finals history. If that’s not worth a Best Championship Performance win then I’m not sure what is.
Cardale Jones received his first college loss to a girl but took the loss rather well.
The Pat Tillman Award was not left to the fans this year although some fans wished it was. Deservingly Danielle Green, former Notre Dame women’s basketball player who lost her left arm while serving in the Army during the Iraq War, for exemplifying the spirit of the former NFL safety. Many were touched by Danielle’s win and her powerful speech.
"If my story leaves you with one thing tonight, I hope it leaves you with a challenge…Ask yourself: What's my purpose? What's my passion? What do I want my legacy to be? How can I live as a full human being?"
Leah and Devon still made it hard for anyone to keep a dry eye. Leah was unable to make the awards ceremony but had a sweet little video to share instead while her father accepted on her behalf. Leah’s story has been one of the most touching stories in NFL history. As she continues to “beat up cancer” and recovers from Stage 4 neuroblastoma her father thanks her.
"I just want to thank you," Still said. "From the moment you were born you molded me into the man I am today. And you know I always used to dream about how I was going to be able to show you so much about life. But in the five years I've been with you you've taught me more about life than I could ever do. I love you and I'm just proud of the way you've been handling yourself this past year."
And finally, the biggest controversy of the night, Caitlyn Jenner and her Arthur Ashe Courage Award. The dictionary defines courage as “the ability to do something that frightens one.” Caitlyn Jenner has chosen to be who she wants to be, to live her life to the fullest and to try her best to make a difference in the world. Caitlyn has taken the dare to live and to continue to live despite the hate from the public eye and that takes courage. After receiving the award, Jenner informed her listeners of the depressing statistics regarding transgender individuals- specifically those bullied and forced into feeling suicidal. Jenner spoke to how she hopes her status can help foster a greater acceptance of those who are transgender and how she hopes that her journey can help others. While many of you out there hate on Caitlyn I encourage you to consider what 23-year-old Army man Joey Vicente wrote in regard to all the hate for Caitlyn.
I leave you with this: winning a gold medal does not make you a hero, but saving a life does. Caitlyn Jenner is more of a hero today than Bruce Jenner was in 1976 and her actions have absolutely taken courage.


























